"This just helps us prepare in advance for what might be coming our way," -- Margo Taylor, American Red Cross

WHITE CLOUD, MI – Emergency services officials and relief workers gathered around a map Tuesday to plan for flooding of Muskegon River predicted to occur in weeks.

The March 18 meeting at Newaygo County Emergency Operations Center was attended by representatives of relief organizations including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church and Love, INC.

The Muskegon River has flooded its banks before, in 2011 and 2013. Most years, there is a 5-10 percent chance of flooding. But, this year, it's estimated between 40-90 percent, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The problem this year is snow packing the ground – between 14-16 inches' worth. Once it begins melting – and one of the most likely ways for that to happen is in a spring rain – the river will be in danger of flooding.

"Right now we're in a real helpful weather pattern," Watkins said, with the snow melting a bit each day and freezing at night. But, "it's only going to take one heavy rainfall event to put us back where we were."

In 2011 and 2013, the most heavily-affected areas were subdivisions built along the river in Bridgeton Township, Watkins said. Other homeowners were affected in Ashland and Garfield townships. One entire peninsula flooded at Old Woman's Bend on the river.

In this file photo from last year, the Muskegon River spills over its banks and floods farmland in Muskegon County on April 21, 2013.Marge Beaver | Photography Plus file

"I never thought we would be dealing with the same issue year after year," Watkins said. "We know the homeowners by name."

About 120 families in Newaygo County were affected by the flooding last year.

Some homeowners have raised their homes or taken other steps to lessen the damage, but not all of the homeowners want help.

"These are pretty self-sufficient people here in Newaygo County," said American Red Cross Disaster Services Program Manager Margo Taylor.

But some of the incidents from past floods have been concerning.

In 2013, some propane tanks floated away and were lost, Watkins said. One riverbank home had to be demolished after flood erosion ate away all but two feet of ground between the building and a 75-foot drop-off to the river.

The flooding can be mitigated – but not controlled – by the Consumer's Energy Hardy and Croton dams upstream, Watkins said.

Taylor said the flooding could come in two weeks.

"This just helps us prepare in advance for what might be coming our way," she said of the planning.

Last year, Newaygo County launched an Emergency Operations Center for several days during the worst of the flooding. This year, the Red Cross could open a Multiple Agency Resource Center, or MARC, in Newaygo County from which to coordinate efforts.

Nonprofit agencies also used the meeting to talk about needs and see where they would fit into relief effort. For example, the Salvation Army of Big Rapids was working on a food truck it could send down to the area.

One need discussed was how to dispose of soggy sheet rock and carpet stripped from homes.

"We could look at assisting with a dumpster," said Rita Astras of Love, INC of Newaygo County. "We have done that in the past for a couple of families."

Muskegon River community meeting for river residents will be held later this week, 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Newaygo High School Cafeteria, 200 East St. in Newaygo.